I'm not sure what I could say that beats the headlines of this article. I am already an advocate for the decriminalization of marijuana and making pot available readily and legally to those who benefit medically. I am a believer in the use of pot for those who suffer ongoing nausea. I know it helps.
Marijuana may help stave off Alzheimer’s
Active ingredient in pot may help preserve brain function
WASHINGTON - Good news for aging hippies: smoking pot may stave off Alzheimer’s disease.
New research shows that the active ingredient in marijuana may prevent the progression of the disease by preserving levels of an important neurotransmitter that allows the brain to function.
Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute in California found that marijuana’s active ingredient, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, can prevent the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from breaking down more effectively than commercially marketed drugs.
THC is also more effective at blocking clumps of protein that can inhibit memory and cognition in Alzheimer’s patients, the researchers reported in the journal Molecular Pharmaceutics.
The researchers said their discovery could lead to more effective drug treatment for Alzheimer’s, the leading cause of dementia among the elderly.
Those afflicted with Alzheimer’s suffer from memory loss, impaired decision-making, and diminished language and movement skills. The ultimate cause of the disease is unknown, though it is believed to be hereditary.
Marijuana is used to relieve glaucoma and can help reduce side effects from cancer and AIDS treatment.
WOW. My mom died of Alzheimer's. Maybe I should.....Naw....
Posted by: Specter | 06 October 2006 at 05:21 AM